OLD Halesonians Hockey Club’s season ended with a disappointing away defeat and poor performance against Burton.

Hales finished eighth in Midlands 1, and now await the news from the Midlands Regional Hockey League, which is considering a league restructure. Hales have avoided the bottom four but their fate is now in the hands of the league organisers as to which division they will play in next season.

Old Hales got off to a disastrous start, as they conceded in less than two minutes. A failed aerial attempt from Paul Woodall led to a Burton attack, and the visitors were awarded a penalty corner which was dispatched past goalkeeper Steve Charlton.

Hales looked to bounce back, but their game plan fell apart when the hosts doubled their lead following a Hales own goal with just five minutes on the clock.

Despite an improved performance from Hales, they were unable to find a breakthrough, and Burton were able to make it 3-0 before the break from a top corner drag flick from a penalty corner.

Hales looked to regroup in the second half, but another unfortunate deflection led to Burton’s fourth of the game. The visitors did pick up their game and were able to grab goal back from striker Tom Durnford.

The hosts put the game to bed when they extended their lead from another penalty corner. Simon Palmer was able to slow the ball but the deflection off his stick went over the line.